A Young Doctor's Notebook

Watch A Young Doctor's Notebook

  • TV-MA
  • 2012
  • 2 Seasons
  • 7.8  (16,655)

A Young Doctor's Notebook is a British comedy-drama based on a collection of short stories by Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov. It is set during the Russian Revolution and the subsequent civil war, and follows the story of a young doctor who is sent to a remote hospital in the country to practice medicine.

The show stars Daniel Radcliffe as the young doctor, known only as "the doctor," and Jon Hamm as his older self, who serves as the narrator. The two versions of the character interact throughout the show, with the older doctor sharing his wisdom and reflections on the events of his past with the younger version.

The show is structured as a series of vignettes, each focusing on a different patient or medical case that the doctor encounters. These cases range from the mundane (such as dealing with a patient who refuses to take his medicine) to the more dramatic (such as a woman who has been injured in a train accident).

The show is notable for its blend of comedy and drama, as well as its surreal and fantastical elements. It often uses humor to lighten the mood in otherwise bleak situations, such as when the doctor must amputate a patient's leg without adequate anesthesia. At the same time, it also delves into darker themes such as drug addiction and mental illness.

Throughout the series, the doctor grapples with his own anxieties and self-doubts, as well as the pressures of working in a war-torn country where medical supplies are scarce and patients are skeptical of Western medicine. He must also navigate his relationships with the other hospital staff, including the head nurse (played by Vicki Pepperdine) and the hospital director (played by Adam Godley).

Despite its relatively short run (only two seasons), A Young Doctor's Notebook garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Critics praised the show's performances, particularly the chemistry between Radcliffe and Hamm, as well as its unique blend of humor and pathos. Some compared it favorably to other shows with similar themes, such as M*A*S*H and ER.

In addition to its strong acting and storytelling, the show is also notable for its strong aesthetic. The production design captures the bleakness and desolation of rural Russia during this time period, while also incorporating elements of surrealism and absurdism. The show's use of color and light is also noteworthy, with certain scenes bathed in a sickly green or blue hue to heighten the tension and sense of foreboding.

Overall, A Young Doctor's Notebook is a unique and compelling television series that blends comedy, drama, and surrealism in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. With strong performances from its two leads and a talented supporting cast, the show is a must-watch for fans of offbeat medical dramas and period pieces alike.

A Young Doctor's Notebook is a series that ran for 2 seasons (8 episodes) between December 4, 2012 and on Sky Arts

A Young Doctor's Notebook
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Seasons
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
September 9, 2014
Natasha departs, leaving the doctor to drown his sorrows. He wakes to find two Bolsheviks demanding to know where all the medicine is. He sets them on a false path toward the supply train, implicating the white guard. As he realizes his mistake he goes after them, but will he make it in time and will he leave those dearest to him to pay for his mistakes?
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
September 2, 2014
The old doctor visits the young doctor, announcing that he wants to write an opera in an attempt at cathartic self-discovery. He wants to discuss what happened with Pelageya, but the young doctor just wants to talk about Natasha, wondering whether her engagement is a forced aristocratic arrangement. Pelageya becomes seriously ill, and the young doctor is caught up between the two women.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
August 26, 2014
The young doctor desperately tries to replace his depleted morphine supply, turning to cocaine and becoming increasingly shambolic. He meets a beautiful aristocrat, Natasha, who invites the staff to a supper, where he discovers she is intelligent and cultured. He becomes besotted and his new attraction prompts him to leave Pelageya, accusing her of nurturing his morphine addiction.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
November 21, 2013
The hospital learns that the Zemstvo is coming for an inspection, sending the young doctor and Pelageya into a panic as they fear the discovery of a morphine shortfall. They cover their tracks by re-filling the bottles with water, but the arrival of a group of injured soldiers leads to a life-threatening mix-up.
Description
Where to Watch A Young Doctor's Notebook
A Young Doctor's Notebook is available for streaming on the Sky Arts website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch A Young Doctor's Notebook on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    December 4, 2012
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (16,655)